Abstract: An improved method for accurately and correctly laser imprinting a blank check form with MICR information. The method also provides for visual confirmation that the MICR information is properly positioned on the laser printed check. The steps of a suitable method comprise: (a) providing a press printed blank check sheet which includes a line of horizontal tear perforations and printed text characters; (b) laser printing under the control of a computer program on the preprinted blank check with magnetic ink in MICR font a pair of indices of registration, MICR information in the "clear band" area of the blank check and other text necessary to complete the check. The indices of registration may include horizontal bracket lines for straddling the perforations and a rectangular box for enclosing selected preprinted text. If the laser printed bracket lines do in fact straddle the perforations and the printed box properly encloses the selected text then the printed MICR information is correctly positioned.

Abstract: An expandable finger ring or the like having a pair of arcuate expandable sections each pivotally hinged at one end by a clevis-like arrangement to an arcuate mounting portion. One expander section is provided with an extending centrally reduced tongue portion which is formed with a longitudinally directed open slot. The slotted portions transverse opening at the tongues open end being greater than that at the opposite end. The other expander section is formed so as to slidingly engage the first expander by being formed with a central longitudinal recess at its free end to receive the tongue portion. Disposed intermediate the walls of the second expander and extending across the recess is a fixed stud of a diameter slightly larger than the narrowest portion of the slot. The stud rides in the slot so that when the expanders are fully slidingly engaged with each other, the stud will tightly abut and frictionally engage the walls of the slot to thereby releasably lock the expander sections together.

Abstract: In an electronic correcting typewriter, a character correction and replacement system is disclosed for facilitating the task of correcting typed character errors. The typewriter includes a printing and a correcting mechanism operated under electronic control and a correction buffer is associated with the electronic control for storing the last plurality of printed characters. To automatically erase any previously printed character which character has its code stored in the correction buffer and print a new replacement character, the typist locates the carrier opposite the unwanted character and actuates the character key of the desired replacement character. Under control of the electronics, the unwanted character code is recalled from the correction buffer, the correcting mechanism is operated to erase that character and the printing mechanism is operated to print the new character. Operator setting of an overstrike flag provides character overprint capability.

Abstract: In an electronic typewriter, an automatic word correcting system includes a keyboard word erase function key for selectively causing automatic erasure of a word or a series of words. Operation of the word correcting system is based on electronic sensing of "space" or non-print functions and successive recall of consecutively printed characters stored in a print line memory of a control circuit in the typewriter. To erase a previously typed word after other words have been typed, the operator aligns (backspaces) a carrier print point at any print line position occupied by the word. Then a single one touch (depress/release) actuation of the Word Erase Key operates an electronic word erase control that causes the carrier to automatically move to the right to find and then stop the carrier when the subsequent "space" function is electronically sensed in memory.

Abstract: A ribbon feed mechanism for printing machines has a toothed wheel rigidly mounted on a drive shaft at an angle relative to a plane perpendicular to the drive shaft axis. The toothed wheel will penetrate layers of outer convolutions of a roll of film ribbon on a take-up spool at varying locations relative to the ribbon width for feeding the film ribbon with equal length increments more consistently.

Abstract: A ribbon drive clutch comprises a stepper motor which has an output shaft on which there is mounted a clutch plate and a pair of cams. A plurality of pawls are each pivotally mounted on the clutch plate and are disposed to engage the first cam for rotation with the output shaft responsive to rotation of the output shaft in a first direction and disposed to engage the second cam for rotation with the output shaft responsive to rotation of the output shaft in a second direction. A first cam follower is disposed for operation of a ribbon drive linkage to drive a first ribbon responsive to rotation of the first cam and a second cam follower is disposed for operation of a ribbon drive linkage to drive a second ribbon responsive to rotation of the second cam.

Abstract: An improved typewriter escapement disengagement and engagement mechanism wherein a separator member disengages the escapement mechanism from the carriage rack to prevent damage to the mechanism and/or rack during transport of the typewriter. A restraining means prevents the carriage from moving while the escapement mechanism is disengaged. When the restraining means is removed causing carriage movement, the separator member is automatically removed from between the escapement mechanism and the carriage rack and the escapement mechanism is engaged.

Abstract: A simplified, symmetrical encoding apparatus of the acoustic rod type with polarized output signals, e.g., where key-actuated strikers impact an acoustic bar having a number of differently-shaped tabs on the bar, the impact giving rise to divergent acoustic waves sensed by a transducer at each end of the bar. Providing paired sets of a non-polarizing tab and oppositely-oriented raked (polarizing) tabs in mirror image form at desired locations on right and left halves of the bar, preferably with a first tab located at the bar's midpoint, facilitates distinguishing between impacts on the different tabs.

Abstract: Power supply sensing circuitry comprises a first comparator for determining whether the power supply potential voltage exceeds by a predetermined amount the voltage required to operate a data processing system connected to the power supply potential, and a second comparator for determining whether the power supply potential is at least the voltage required to operate the connected data processing system.

Abstract: A typewriter has a Keyboard (12), including a Tab Set Key (22), a Tab Clear Key (24), and a Tab Actuating Key (26). Operation of the tab set key stores stop positions of the Carrier (18) with respect to the typewriter's Platen (14). Shallow depression of the tab actuating key causes the carrier to move forward (right) to the next tab stop position. A first deep depression of the tab actuating key establishes a Reverse Tab Mode causing the carrier to move backward (left) to the nearest preceding tab stop position and causing the platen to rotate (index) so as to position the Printing Element (16) one line down on the paper, thereby to facilitate typing the next line of single column material without effecting a carrier return and forward movement of the carrier to the beginning of the column.

Abstract: An electronic typewriter comprising keys 12a and an electronic control system 26 for causing a print wheel 16 to print corresponding characters at successive horizontal positions. A register 86B stores and continuously updates its storage of the last plurality of characters printed. When an error is made, the typist can backspace to the error, automatically recall the incorrect character from the register and erase it by restriking that character via a correction ribbon 28. Actuating a halfspace mode key 24 advances the print wheel's horizontal position by one-half the ordinary space, thereby moving out of normal registration to permit inserting extra characters. Upon such actuation of the halfspace key, the register's contents are cleared so that characters entered in normal registration cannot be used while the print wheel is in an offset location. Characters typed while in halfspace mode are stored in the usual manner.

Abstract: A case shift and lock input mechanism comprising a pair of independently depressable shift keylevers and a depressable shift lock keylever are assembled in a keyboard for actuating a single shift control switch used to condition a printer for printing upper case characters when the switch is actuated. A pivotal bail member is interposed between the switch and each shift keylever for engageably actuating the switch in response to depression of either shift keylever. The shift lock keylever directly actuates the switch when it is depressed to a lock position. A latch device comprising a latch member pivotally mounted on the switch operates to releasably hold the shift lock keylever in the lock position to keep the switch closed for continual typing of upper case characters. The shift lock keylever is released from the lock position through the bail member by subsequent depression of either shift keylever. Each shift keylever actuates the switch independent of the shift lock keylever.

Abstract: A print hammer release mechanism for use in typewriters or similar machines in which means are provided for moving the print hammer from a first position in which the print hammer is in position for a printing operation to occur, to a second position which facilitates the insertion of a print element into the typewriter.

Abstract: A print element mounting apparatus for attaching and removing a print disc to and from a selector shaft in a printing machine. The apparatus comprises a finger-grip cap which is fixed on the print disc and a coupling device carried by the print disc. The coupling device includes a generally circular shaped unitary flex member made from yieldable half-sections which are continually urged towards one another by a spring wrapped about the flex member. Each half-section includes a pair of pressure surfaces which are curved in complementary relation to form a biased opening at the central portion of the flex member. The selector shaft is fabricated to include tapered surfaces that operate in conjunction with the pressure surfaces to afford snap-action operation during interchange of the print disc accomplished through a push or a pull force axially applied to the cap.

Abstract: A carriage locking device is used for locking a transversely movable carrier in a typewriter to safeguard against damage when the typewriter is not in typing use, especially during shipping transport. The device includes a pair of blades operable between a released position for enabling the carrier to travel sideways and a locked position for engageably holding the carrier fast in the typewriter. A lock control linkage is coupled to the blades for allowing the operator selective movement thereof to shift the blades between the two positions. The blades move into and out of a recess on the carrier which is only allowed to occur when the carrier is stopped at a predetermined location. A sensor lever includes a latching feature that operates in response to the carrier being away from the predetermined location to block movement of the lock control linkage for maintaining the blades in the released position.